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Elbresidenz: Nearly 5 star by the river
This was luxury, but, for me, not quite the 5 stars it's touted to be.
Mind you, there was a lot to like. The splendid top floor spa and sauna facilities alongside the gym for starters.
The rooms were very nice, expecially the bathroom that had extras you'd not normally expect like two sinks, a magnifying mirror and hair dryer. The foldaway television and spacious beds were a couple of other things I liked as well as the neat little balconies overlooking the Elbe (depending on what room you get).
The hotel has four restaurants but, I have to say, while the food is quite acceptable and well presented and the waiters well trained, they still left me wanting a little more. Previously during our trip, notably at Fellini's in Erfurt and two Italian restaurants in Bamberg, the food was unforgettable. This didn't quite rate with that.
Outside by the river there is an expansive area where, when the weather is kinder than when we were there, you could wile away hours simply relaxing with a drink in hand.
The rooms are well laid out, especially the bathrooms which is important for the ladies. They not only have hot and cold running water in the two sinks but sound from the T.V./stereo as well.
This fully renovated hotel looks like the five star it claims to be and lives up to that in many ways.
My only gripes (and, it must be said, I'm only nitpicking here) were that I couldn't get my weetbix for breakfast and you have to ask for toast (it's a bit of an oddity in Germany) plus there's no tea making facilities in the rooms or anywhere else after the restaurants have closed which I think is pretty shabby if you're claiming to be 5 star.
They also claim they have a laundry but, when I was there, it wasn't actually available as something hadn't been finished yet but, since it was several months after they'd opened, I thought that was a bit slack.
There is also free internet, a big plus in my books, but, since there may be well over 100 guests and there's only one computer, don't expect to walk down and jump on. Again, for a five star, I think they should have at least two.
This hotel pampers to all your requirements in the manner of health spas. It has things I haven't even listed here but I can tell you that there's a pool, sauna, spa, full gym, massage facilities and more, all on the upper (fourth) floor. In your room you will find gowns and towels supplied to take advantage of them.
It also has a prime location overlooking the Elbe if you're lucky enough, as I was, to get a room doing just that.
There are at least four restaurants though all are not necessarily open at the same time. The breakfast one is apt to be closed except for tour buses and such at night time but that leaves you with at least a few other options.
There are balconies on some rooms that would be really nice in summer but were fairly underutilized by us since it was nearly snowing some of the time.
I can tell you also that there's at least five sets of lifts and you won't have a clue where you are at least once in your stay. Still, you don't have to walking in the great outdoors for exercise, simply trying to find reception on the first morning will ensure you get half an hour's exercise in!
There's a safe in the room should you need one also.
There are always staff on hand at reception and they are well trained and courteous and there was always someone who spoke English while I was there.
They can arrange lots of things for you to do so never be afraid to ask, even for a night at the opera in Dresden or such.
